Johan, a tailor, emigrated to the USA in 1887 and was married around 1899 to a Swedish-born woman named Christina 1 (b. 7 January 1872) who had emigrated in 1895, and they had a daughter named Mabel Elvira in August of 1899. The family appear on the 1900 and 1910 censuses living in Spokane, Washington.

Lundahl returned with his wife and daughter to his former home in Fyrnan, Urshult, Småland for a three-year-long stay, meanwhile renting out their home on East Carlisle Avenue, Spokane. Lundhal soon became homesick for America and travelled back in advance, with the rest of the family to follow when he had the money to buy the tickets.

He boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger (ticket number 347743 which cost £7, 1s, 1d).

On the night of the sinking, August Wennerström later told that after the accident, when Lundahl realised the seriousness of the situation, he said farewell to his friends and returned to his cabin to die. His body was never found.

The Mansion House Fund paid 2699.52 Kr (£148) to his wife and daughter. A further 5247 Kr (£275) damage claims were on 31 December 1914. His widow Christina later returned to the USA but what became of her is not clear.